The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-13
ANNIE'S NEW HOME.

She had not always been lame. A
fewl years before, no foot so light, no
step upon the stairs 30 swift and sure as
Annie'e. But one cruel winters day,
slip on the icy pavement changed all her
life, and from brisk, bonny, lass she 81
lently faded into pale, patient Grip
pie. Her father had died long ago,
and or mother, after weary struggle
again ct adverse fate, gladly followed him.
The neighbors were kind, of course, and
Mrs. Lynch, the widow took Annie into
her home; but it was not like hav
ing ones own mother. Kindness, not
love, prompted every act. The days
passed very slowly and monotonously for
Annie. Every morning she was helped
into her cushioned chair by the window
and there she sat all day, with no out
look except at blank WALL while her
patient fingers fashioned the artificial
flowers that helped to pay her board. 1t
seemed so strange that she should be 30
terribly afflicted that it made her sad
sometimes, and she could not help MUIR
muring little, but she was generally
very patient, and then there was always
Jim to be thankful for.
He was the idol OF Annie's life, and his
devotion to her was beautiful to see. His
hands, though big and rough, we're gentle
as women's when they touched Armies;
his deep voice softened and his heavy
step grew light when he entered Armies
room. AS for Annie, he was not only her
brother but her father and mother and a
whole host of other relations besides. He
was her light and strength and very life.
He worked in the mines, and was away all
day, and sometimes all night, but when he
did come, no matter if it was midnight,
then and then only the sun shone for
Annie.
Jim was always trying to think OF some
thing that would shorten her long, weary
hours. One day he would bring her an
apple whose polished sides fairly glisten-
ed. Again it would be flower, a rose or
pansy, which Annie always put before
her and copied at once, and she always
thought that none of her flowers were so
natural as those she copied from Jim's
bouquets. One bright May Sunday, he
took her to the country. What a day that
was for Annie 1t was years since she
had been beyond the grimy, smoky
streets of the mining town; and she could
only family remember how the country
looked. She could call mp dim memories
of fields of fresh green grass, Of flowers
really growing, and of soft, warm air
musical with the song of birds, but it all
seemed very distant and unreal. How
she had looked forward to this day. Jim
borrowed the overseer's wagon, took the
cushions from Annie's chair, and made a
seat for her, and together they drove
away out Of the dirt and noise into the
sXeet fields starred with violets and blu
cites, and where the air was laden with
the perfume of lilacs and apple blossoms.
Jim did all the talking, Annie said very
little, but her eyes we're never still. They
saw every minutest detail, and the reality
far exceeded her dreams. AS they were
driving slowly homeward, the old brown
horse who was stumbling along half
asleep, suddenly swerved to one side.
Jim, leaning forward to find out the
cause exclaimed:
"Oh, its bird, baby robin. Do you
want it, Annie? You can keep it in that
old cage Mrs. Lynch has, and by and by
it will grow tame, and be nice pet for
you"
Annie clapped her hands with delight
at the idea, and Jim carefully picked up
the bird and they took it back wrap
ped up in handkerchief.
The next day when Jim came home
from work, Annie thought he was more
quiet than usual, and finally he said:
"Annie, how would you like to have
little home in the country, just you and
me together?"
"Ohl JimP said Annie, elasping her
hands and flushing with excitement,
"Whst do you mean?"
WON yOotCAdoy NhCh VIC WCAC Oul
there in the fields, suddenly thought
that if got this promotion Mr.. jerks
spoke of, perhaps we could afford to have
little home somewhere out there. Mrs.
Lynch would come with MS to look out
for the house, you could raise chickens
that would be something to keep you
busy all day, and l venture to say there
wouldl't be any chickens in the market
as fat as yours-only don't suppose.
with your tender heart, you'd let any be
killed" And Jim's hearty laugh made
the glasses on the shelf dance and jingle.
From that time, Annie thought Of
nothing else. She talked OF it by day
ana dreamed of it by night. She told her
few friends Of it, and what they were go
ing to do when they had home in the
country. And at last it really seemed as
as il the dream might come true. jim